Guttenberg National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Guttenberg National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium Historic District
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The hatchery and aquarium building
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 315 S. River Park Dr. Guttenberg, Iowa |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1938-1940 |
| MPS | Conservation Movement in Iowa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001833 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 1991 |
The Guttenberg National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium Historic District is a special place in Guttenberg, Iowa, United States. It's called a historic district because it's a group of buildings that are important to history. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. That means it's recognized nationally for its historical value.
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What is the Guttenberg Fish Hatchery?
A fish hatchery is a place where fish are raised from eggs. They are then released into rivers, lakes, or ponds. The Guttenberg National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium includes buildings that were part of this important work. These buildings helped with fish conservation. The district also connects to another historic area nearby, the Front Street (River Park Drive) Historic District.
Why Was It Built?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has always worked to protect wildlife in Iowa, especially fish. They started a program in 1903 to rescue fish from the Mississippi River. These fish often got trapped in shallow areas called backwaters. Later, in the 1930s, a system of locks and dams was built on the river. This changed the river flow and made the fish rescue program less needed. So, a new plan was made to build a fish hatchery instead.
The City of Guttenberg and the United States Army Corps of Engineers gave the land for the hatchery. Construction began in 1938. The main hatchery and aquarium building, the superintendent's house, and a garage were finished in 1939. The Public Works Administration, a government program, helped build these. A pump house was added in 1940. From 1939 to 1941, the Works Progress Administration, another government program, built fish rearing ponds on Twelve Mile Island.
How Did It Help Fish?
The fish raised in these ponds were sent to many places. They went to lakes, rivers, and ponds in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The hatchery also provided fish for aquariums and research labs. Some of the famous places that received fish included the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.. Other aquariums in Dallas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia also got fish. Even university research labs used fish from Guttenberg for their studies.
What Happened Later?
In 1971, the fish rearing ponds were closed. They were then transferred to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. A few years later, in 1974, the rest of the hatchery facility was given to the State of Iowa. The state officially took ownership of the properties from the federal government in 1986.
